Edrian (E.J.) Hairston is entering his sixth year as an assistant athletic trainer at the University of North Texas. Hairston handles the daily operations of the athletic training room and works primarily with men's basketball and assists with football.

Prior to North Texas, Hairston worked at Stetson University and Western Carolina University in similar positions.

A native of Lexington, N.C., Hairston graduated from Greensboro College in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in sport and exercise studies with an emphasis in athletic training. He later returned to school to complete his master's degree in 2006 from North Carolina Central University in physical education with an emphasis in athletics administration. While completing his master's degree, Hairston was an intern athletic trainer at North Carolina State University, working with softball in its inaugural campaign.

After completing his master's degree, Hairston accepted his first full-time staff position as an assistant athletic trainer at Western Carolina University, where he worked with women's soccer for two years. He then moved to Florida to work with baseball and men's basketball at Stetson University. Also during his time there, he worked as the strength and conditioning coordinator for two years.